WILDLIFE

Woman Delivers Human Baby at Zoo

Near the bear exhibit.

This takes the term “zoo baby” to a whole new level. A woman touring the Rosamond Gifford Zoo went into sudden labor Friday, leaving the zoo employees, accustomed to helping deliver baby animals, no choice but to deliver her baby girl. Zoo Education Coordinator Liz Schmidt was at the reindeer exhibit when she got the call on her radio that a woman was in labor near the bear exhibit. Schmidt, a first responder trained in first aid, said her main concern was keeping the baby warm (using articles of clothing from the staff) once born. “It’s certainly been a bumper crop at the zoo for babies,” Zoo Director Ted Fox said. “It’s following suit with the human species.”